Compressible air pump

ABSTRACT

A compressible air pump comprises a flexible pump body defining an interior volume. The compressible air pump defines at least one entry opening having a corresponding one-way valve configured to permit air to enter the interior volume of the pump body and an exit opening configured to direct air out of the pump body. The compressible air pump is biased by to an inflated or expanded configuration by a biasing member secured to sidewalls of the pump body. Upon compressing the pump body, the one-way valves associated with the entry opening seals, the air pressure within the pump body increases, and air is directed at an increased pressure out of the exit opening.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to manual pneumatic pumps, and more specifically to manual pneumatic pumps for rapidly inflating inflatable objects.

BACKGROUND

Historically, inflating large inflatable objects (e.g., floating toys, inflatable mattresses, camping mattress pads, and/or the like) required a substantial amount of time and effort to fully inflate the object. When using a manually operated air pump (e.g., a foot pump), a substantial number of pumping cycles have generally been required, which may fatigue the operator of the pump and may require a significant amount of time to fully inflate the object. In addition, users of typical manually operated air pumps encounter a significant amount of resistance in operating the pump, which also leads to fatigue.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved pump capable of fully inflating large inflatable objects rapidly and without fatiguing the pump's user.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various embodiments provide pumping mechanisms that require minimal effort to fully inflate large inflatable objects by directing air from within a large compressible and sealed volume, through a one-way valve, and into the object to be inflated. Air is permitted to enter the interior of the compressible and sealed volume through an entry one-way valve, thereby ensuring the air pressure within the volume is substantially the same as the pressure in the ambient environment surrounding the volume. As the volume is compressed, the air pressure within the volume increases, and the air is directed out of the volume through an exit one-way valve, which may be secured to an inflatable object to direct the air into the inflatable object.

In particular, various embodiments are directed to a manually actuated air pump. The air pump comprises a flexible pump body defined by a plurality of flexible walls, which comprises one or more sidewalls extending between a top wall and a bottom wall and define an interior volume. At least one one-way valve is defined in the top wall and configured to permit air to enter the interior volume through an entry opening. At least one exit opening extends through one of the one or more sidewalls and is configured to direct air out of the flexible pump body. A coiled spring is secured to the one or more sidewalls between the top wall and the bottom wall. The coiled spring is configured to bias the flexible pump body to an inflated configuration in which the interior volume is filled with air and to be compressed into a compressed configuration in which the interior volume is reduced. The air pump is configured such that compressing the flexible pump body causes the air within the interior volume of the pump body to be directed out of the at least one exit opening, and expansion of the pump body from the compressed configuration to the inflated configuration causes air to flow through the one-way valve and inflate the interior volume.

In certain embodiments, the one or more flexible walls are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of: a film, a cloth, and a laminated cloth. In certain embodiments, the flexible pump body is tapered such that the coiled spring coils with a decreasing radius along the length of the coiled spring. In certain embodiments the exit opening is defined by a flexible hose configured to direct air away from the flexible pump body. In certain embodiments the flexible hose comprises an exit opening configured to engage an air valve of an inflatable object to direct air through the air valve and into the inflatable object. Certain embodiments are further comprised of a restraint fastener configured to selectively secure the flexible pump body in the compressed configuration. In certain embodiments the flexible pump body is cylindrical. In certain embodiments the top wall of the flexible pump body is removable to provide access to the interior of the flexible pump body.

In certain embodiments the one-way valve comprises two opposing flexible flaps secured on opposing sides of the entry opening, and wherein the opposing flexible flaps are configured to adhere to one another to seal the one way valve while the flexible pump body is being compressed. In certain embodiments the two opposing flexible flaps are secured to one another to form a collapsible air conduit. In certain embodiments the coiled spring extends around the perimeter of the flexible pump body between the top wall and the bottom wall. In certain embodiments the entry opening of the at least one one-way valve defines an area that is greater than or equal to 10% of the total area of the top wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a compressible pump according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of a compressible pump according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2B shows a one-way valve according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a compressible pump during a compression process;

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a compressible pump during a re-inflation process following compression;

FIG. 5 shows a compressible pump secured in a fully compressed configuration;

FIG. 6 shows a compressible pump having a plurality of entry one-way valves;

FIG. 7 shows a compressible pump having a plurality of entry one-way valves secured to sides of the compressible pump;

FIG. 8 shows a compressible pump having open ports for allowing air to enter the compressible pump;

FIG. 9 shows a compressible pump having a tapered profile;

FIGS. 10-12 show nozzles that may be secured to an outlet one-way valve;

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment comprising two stackable compressible pumps;

FIG. 14 shows two pumps according to various embodiments;

FIG. 15 shows a portion of the compressible pump during manufacturing;

FIG. 16 shows a portion of the compressible pump forming the body of the compressible pump during manufacturing;

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment of a compressible pump;

FIG. 18 shows an exit opening of a compressible pump;

FIG. 19 shows an exit opening providing an air conduit between a compressible air pump and an inflatable mattress;

FIG. 20 is a front view of a one-way valve configured to receive air from a variety of pump nozzles;

FIG. 21 is a side cross-sectional view of the one-way valve configured to receive air from a variety of pump nozzles;

FIG. 22 shows a side cross-sectional view of an inflatable object having a one-way valve being inflated by a compressible air pump;

FIG. 23 shows a side cross-sectional view of an inflatable object having a one-way valve being inflatable by a compressible air pump while the compressible air pump is re-inflating;

FIG. 24 shows an inflatable object defining a one-way valve being inflated by a standard foot pump;

FIG. 25 shows an inflatable object defining a one-way valve being inflated by a user blowing into the one-way valve from a distance away from the one-way valve;

FIG. 26 shows an inflatable object having an inflation chamber being inflated by a compressible object;

FIG. 27 shows an inflatable object having an inflation chamber being inflated by a compressible object;

FIGS. 28-30 show example aesthetic features that may incorporated into the design of a compressible air pump;

FIG. 31 shows a compressible pump having a selectably openable top in a closed configuration; and

FIG. 32 shows a compressible pump having a selectably openable top in an open configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Overview

According to various embodiments, a compact pneumatic pump is provided and configured to inflate inflatable objects—including large inflatable objects—quickly and without electrical power. Various embodiments of the pump generally comprise a compressible body biased to an inflated configuration, a rapid inflation one-way valve, and an exit opening or hole. The compressible body may comprise any of a variety of air-tight materials, such as a laminated fabric (e.g., polyester laminated with polyurethane), a plastic film such as vinyl, and/or a fabric (e.g., nylon fabric). Other materials utilized for pop-up style hampers, buckets, trashcans, kids and pet play tunnels and/or the like, may also be used to manufacture the pump described by the present invention.

The compressible body is configured to quickly expand and capture a large volume of air. The compressible body may be biased to the inflated (expanded) configuration (e.g., via a biasing member) such that the compressible body automatically expands and quickly draws air into its body through a rapid inflation one-way valve. When the compressible body is compressed, air is forced out of the exit opening. If the user directs the flow of air exiting the exit opening into the valve of an inflatable object, said inflatable object will be inflated.

The compressible body and other inflatable objects being inflated benefit from using rapid inflation valves. For example, the one-way valves described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/066,458 (now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,978,693), the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, can be used in the compressible body to allow air to quickly enter the air pump during expansion to draw air into the compressible body. When using the air pump to inflate an object with a rapid inflation valve, the air exiting the exit opening can be directed into the object with very little resistance from the rapid inflation valve; thereby resulting in faster inflation with less effort required to compress the air pump. Air pumps as described herein may be used to inflate objects without rapid inflation valves as well.

To secure the air pump as described herein in a compressed state and prevent the biasing member from causing the air pump to inflate (expand), the pump has a secured hook and loop that wraps around the pump. In its compressed state an air pump as described herein takes up very little space, making it more portable than other air pumps.

Air pumps as described herein are configured to quickly force large amounts of air into an inflatable object with very little effort from the user, which facilitate inflation of air beds, pool toys, rafts, inflatable structures, and many other inflatable objects and other inflatable applications as well.

Though the present invention is designed to inflate large inflatable objects, it can also be used to inflate smaller objects as well. Further, the size of the compressible body made be any of a variety of sizes, so that it is easier to store and carry. In various embodiments, the exit opening of the pump may be configured to attach to a hose with one or more nozzle attachments, so that the pump can be used to inflate objects that have many different size valves and not just inflatable objects with rapid inflation valves.

Accordingly, air pumps as described herein are lightweight, quiet, and configured to inflate large inflatable objects very quickly and with minimal effort from the user and without any electrical or other power sources. The air pumps comprise a rapid inflation valve configured to permit large volumes of air to be directed into the compressible body without requiring a significant amount of force, thereby permitting the air pump to incorporate a spring having a low spring constant. Moreover, the air pumps described herein may be manufactured easily utilizing existing manufacturing tools and techniques, and have a low cost per unit.

Moreover, as described herein, various air pumps as described herein may additionally be configured for use as a storage bin (e.g., a laundry hamper). In various embodiments, the air pump may incorporate a variety of aesthetic features, for example, such that the air pump resembles an animal and/or a fictional character.

Air Pump

Various embodiments are directed to a manual air pump configured for pumping large amounts of air into an inflatable object, quickly and with little effort from the user. In various embodiments, the manual pump is additionally configured for being compressed to a compressed state in which the air pump occupies very little space.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of an inflation pump 10 in which the pump body 100 is fully inflated (expanded). As shown in FIG. 1, the inflation pump 10 comprises a pump body 100 defining one or more sidewalls 11 extending around the perimeter of the pump body 100 and between at least one top wall 12, and at least one bottom wall 13. Collectively, the one or more sidewalls 11, the top wall 12, and the bottom wall 13 define a compressible and substantially airtight volume within the pump body 100. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the pump body 100 has a generally cylindrical shape, such that each of the top wall 11 and bottom wall 12 are generally circular and define opposing end portions of the cylindrical shape, and the side wall 11 defines a hollow cylinder extending between the top wall 11 and the bottom wall 12. However, various embodiments may have any of a variety of alternative shapes. For example, the top wall and the bottom wall may have oval-shaped, square, triangular, pentagonal, and/or other shaped perimeters, and the one or more sidewalls may have a corresponding set of sidewalls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pump additionally comprises a one-way valve 110 proximate an entry opening 112, and an exit opening 120. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A, the one-way valve 100 may extend through the top wall 12 and into an interior volume of the pump body 100, and the exit opening 120 may be positioned proximate the bottom wall 13 of the pump body 100 and extending through one or more sidewalls 11 of the pump body. With reference to FIG. 17, which provides an alternative view of an air pump 10, the entry opening 112 has a generally oval-shape, however any of a variety of shapes may be provided, including circular, square, and/or the like. Similarly, the exit opening 120 may have any of a variety of shapes. For example, the exit opening 120 illustrated in FIG. 1 is defined as a circular opening extending through the one or more sidewalls 11, however the exit opening 120 may have an oval-shaped, square, and/or other shaped profile. Moreover, the exit opening 120 may be configured to be secured to a flexible hose 122 to direct the flow of air out of the exit opening 120 in a desired direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, which shows a close-up view of a flexible hose 122 secured to an air pump 10, the flexible hose 122 may be detachably secured to the exit opening 120. Moreover, the exit opening 120 may be configured to accept any of a variety of nozzles (e.g., any of the nozzles illustrated in FIGS. 10-12 and described in greater detail below) to modify the flow pattern of air exiting through the exit opening 120. These nozzles may be detachably secured to the exit opening 120 (e.g., via a fitment 910 described in reference to FIG. 9, herein) and/or the flexible hose 122. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, a rigid nozzle 1800 may be attached to the end of the hose 1802. The exit opening, hose 1802 and nozzle 1800 may have a large diameter (e.g., 2 inches) to allow air to quickly exit the pump. Although any of a variety of exit opening, hose, and nozzle diameters may be provided.

In various embodiments, pumps as described herein may define an exit opening configured to attach to hoses and nozzles of different shapes and sizes. Accordingly, the exit opening may have a standardized or common diameter and/or engagement mechanism configured to engage hoses and/or other inflation nozzles. In various embodiments, the hose may have a plurality of alternative nozzles (e.g., 3 or more different size/shape nozzles) configured to permit users to inflate objects with different sizes/types of valves.

With reference again to FIG. 1, the pump body may comprise any of a variety of elastic or non-elastic fabric materials, such as a PVC film, nylon fabric, laminated fabrics, and/or the like. Such materials provide a pump body 100 defining a generally flexible and air-tight volume. The materials may be heat-sealed or otherwise bonded together to make the entire pump body 100 at least substantially airtight. As discussed herein, the pump body 100 may be assembled using assembly methodologies similar to those used to manufacture “pop-up” style laundry hampers.

In various embodiments, the pump body 100 is biased to the inflated (expanded) configuration by a biasing member 102. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the biasing member 102 comprises a coiled spring (e.g., a metal spring, a plastic spring, and/or the like) secured to the one or more side walls of the pump body 102. In various other embodiments, the biasing member may comprise one or more suitably resilient linear springs, a plurality of coiled springs, or one or more other resilient members.

In various embodiments, the biasing member 102 may be sewn into the one or more side walls of the pump body 102. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the biasing member 102 is covered and attached to the body 100 with a strip of material 104 (e.g., a strip of material sewn onto the surface of the one or more sidewalls, a strip of adhesive material adhered to the one or more sidewalls, and/or the like). Moreover, as shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the biasing member 102 extends along substantially the entire length of the pump body 100 between the top wall 12 and the bottom wall 13. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the coiled spring has a bottom end secured to the side wall 11 of the pump body 100 proximate the bottom wall 13, and a top end secured to the side wall 11 of the pump body 100 proximate the top wall 12. The coiled spring extends around the perimeter of the pump body 100 in a coil extending between the bottom end and the top end of the coiled spring. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 1, the coiled spring is configured to bias the pump body 100 to an inflated (expanded) configuration such that the one or more sidewalls 11 are taut between the top wall 12 and the bottom wall 11. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the coiled spring may be configured to place a biasing force on the one or more sidewalls 11 of the pump body 100 while in the inflated (expanded) configuration, and the walls 11-13 of the pump body 100 are configured to prevent the coiled spring from further expanding.

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of the compressible pump body 100. As shown in FIG. 2A, the one-way valve 110 includes a pair of flaps 116 and 118 extending into the interior of the pump body 100. The pair of flaps are attached to the top wall 12 of the pump body 100 adjacent to and around the perimeter of the entry opening 112 of the one-way valve. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2A, the pair of flaps are secured to the top wall 12 of the pump body 100 in a substantially air-tight configuration, such that air cannot flow around the pair of the flaps and the top wall 12 without flowing through the entry opening 112 and between the pair of flaps.

In various embodiments, each of the pair of flaps comprise a flexible film material having a smooth and/or glossy surface texture configured such that each of the flaps 116, 118 are configured to selectably adhere together and impede air from escaping the interior volume of the pump through the entry opening 112 when the air pressure within the interior volume is greater than or equal to the ambient air pressure surrounding the pump 10. For example, each of the flaps may comprise a polyurethane film, although each of the flaps may comprise one or more other materials, such as polyethylene, a laminated cloth, and/or the like. As discussed in detail herein, the flap material may be selected so as to impede air from escaping through the entry opening 112 during compression of the pump body 100. In various embodiments, the flap material may be selected so as to entirely prevent air from escaping through the entry opening 112 during compression of the pump body 100 (a fully air-tight configuration), although various embodiments may comprise a material that permits a small amount of air to leak out of the entry opening during compression (a substantially air-tight configuration). In those embodiments in which a small amount of air may leak out of the entry opening 112 during compressions, the material and configuration of the flaps 116, 118 may be selected such that, for example, 90% of the air that is directed out of the interior volume of the pump body 100 during compression is directed through the exit opening 120.

Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2B, which illustrates an example one-way valve 110, the flaps 116, 118 are secured to one another along their lateral edges 117 a, 117 b to form a tubular conduit through the one-way valve. For example, the flaps 116, 118 may form portions of a continuous tube of material, and/or the flaps 116, 118 may comprise separate sheets of film that are secured (e.g., sewn, heat sealed, and/or the like) together at lateral edges 117 a, 117 b of the sheets. When the air pressure within the interior volume of the pump body 100 is greater than or equal to the ambient air pressure outside of the pump body 100, the tubular conduit formed between flaps 116, 118 is compressed to impede air from escaping between the flaps 116, 118.

In various embodiments, the tubular conduit may be operatively secured to the one or more side walls 11 within the interior volume of the pump body 100. For example, the flaps 116, 118 may be secured (e.g., sewn, heat sealed, and/or the like) directly to the one or more walls 11 within the interior of the pump body 100 along their lateral edges. As another example, the flaps 116, 118 may be secured to the one or more walls 11 of the pump body 100 by one or more securing members (e.g., one or more fabric strips having a first end secured to the one or more lateral edges 117 a, 117 b of the flaps 116, 118 and a second end opposite the first end secured to the one or more sidewalls 11. By securing the one or more flaps 116, 118 to the one or more sidewalls 11, the one or more flaps 116, 118 are prevented from inverting and protruding outside of the pump body 100 through the entry opening 112.

In various other embodiments, the flaps 116, 118 are not secured to one another and are accordingly separate sheets of material secured along their top edge to the top wall 12 of the pump body 100. In such embodiments, the flaps 116, 118 are configured to adhere together and impede air from escaping the interior volume of the pump body 100 when the air pressure within the pump body 100 is greater than or equal to the ambient air pressure surrounding the pump body 100. As will be appreciated form the description herein, the one-way valve may be configured to function analogously to the one-way valves disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/066,458.

When the pump body 100 inflates (e.g., as it adjusts from its compressed configuration to its expanded configuration), the pump body is configured to draw in air from the one-way valve's opening 112. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 17, a mesh cover 114 secured across an intake opening of the one-way valve 112 allows air to pass through the one-way valve opening 112, but prevents the one-way valve 110 from reversing and extending out of the opening 112 when the body 100 is compressed during pumping in embodiments in which the flaps 116, 118 are not secured to the one or more sidewalls 11. Moreover, the mesh cover 114 prevents debris from entering into the interior volume of the pump body 100 through the entry opening 112. Accordingly, the size of the holes extending through the mesh cover 114 may be sufficiently large to provide substantially unimpeded air flow into the entry opening 112 while preventing debris (e.g., leaves, stones, and/or the like) from entering into the pump body 100.

The size of the pump body, including the diameter (measured across the pump body 100 between points A and B illustrated in FIG. 1, may have any of a variety of dimensions. In various embodiments, the size of the entry opening is sufficient to permit the pump body 100 to fully inflate while the pump body 100 is expanding from the compressed configuration to the inflated configuration such that the air pressure within the interior volume remains substantially equal to the ambient air pressure surrounding the air pump 10 during the entirety of the expansion. As one example, in certain embodiments the entry opening may be sized to have an area greater than or equal to 10% of the total area of the top wall 12. In particular embodiments, the entry opening may be sized to have an area between 10% and 15% of the total area of the top wall 12 (e.g., 11% in one embodiment). As a non-limiting example, a pump may be provided having an overall volume of 15,141 cubic centimeters in the inflated configuration while being able to fit within a backpack. In such embodiments, the diameter of the pump body may be 7 inches (17.78 cm), and the height of the pump body, measured between points B and C on FIG. 1 while in the inflated configuration, may be 24 inches (60.96 cm), while the overall height of the pump in the compressed configuration is less than 1 inch. In such embodiments, the entry opening may have a substantially oval-shaped opening, having a length across the top wall of approximately 7 inches (17.78 cm) and a width at the widest point of approximately 2.33 inches (5.91 cm). As an additional non-limiting example, an air pump may be sized and configured to inflate a full-size air mattress in 10 full pumps. Such embodiments may have a diameter of 15 inches (38.1 cm), a height of 24 inches (60.96 cm), and a volume of 69,497 cubic centimeters.

For purposes of comparison, other hand pumps commonly sold on the market today have a capacity of 2000 cubic centimeters and are unable to pack down to a smaller size. As described herein, the pump body 100 is configured to completely collapse to a compressed configuration for storage and travel, and accordingly the pump body 100 may provide a large height, and accordingly a relatively large volume while providing a portable configuration.

As shown in FIG. 3, which provides a cutaway view of a pump body 100, when the pump body 100 is compressed, the overall volume of the pump body 100 is decreased, thereby causing the air pressure inside of the pump body 100 to increase. This increase in air pressure causes the one-way valve 112 to close to prevent air from escaping through the entry port. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, adjacent flaps 118 and 116 of the one-way valve 112 engage one another to block air from escaping from the opening 112. Accordingly, air that was inside of the pump is forced out of the exit opening 120 and through the flexible hose 122.

As shown in FIG. 4, after being compressed, when a force compressing the pump body 100 is released, the biasing member 102 causes the pump body 100 to inflate (expand). This inflation (expansion) causes the volume of the pump interior to expand, which forms a vacuum pressure within the pump interior. The vacuum pressure formed within the pump interior draws air through the opening 112 and through the one-way valve 110 until the pressure within the interior of the pump is at least equal to the ambient pressure outside of the pump. By connecting the flexible hose to an inflatable object and then repeatedly compressing the pump's body and then allowing it to expand, a large volume of air can quickly be pumped into an inflatable object.

Moreover, the pump may additionally comprise a restraint fastener configured to maintain the pump body 100 in a compressed configuration (e.g., for storage and/or for travel). In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, the restraint fastener comprises a loop 134 and a hook 130 (e.g., a hook having a “G”-shaped profile) secured to a strap 132. If unrestrained by the hook 130 and the loop 134 or other restraint fastener, the pump body 100 will move to the inflated (expanded) configuration due at least in part to the biasing member 102.

As shown in FIG. 5, for packing and/or storage, the pump body 100 may be compressed into a compressed configuration. The pump body 100 may be secured in the compressed configuration via the restraint fastener, which is configured to prevent the biasing member 102 from moving the pump body 100 to the inflated (expanded) configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the hook 130 may be engaged with the loop 134 to restrain the pump body 100. The ability of the pump body 100 to compress to such a small size allows the pump body 100 to have a large overall volume while maintaining a portable configuration. For example, if the pump body 100 has an overall height of approximately 36 inches (when expanded), when compressed it would still take up about the same amount of space as a pump body 100 having an overall height of approximately 12 inches when expanded.

In use, a user may manually compress the pump body from the inflated (expanded) configuration to direct air at an increased air pressure out of the exit opening, for example, to inflate an inflatable object. The air pump may then be configured to complete a full pumping cycle by releasing the pump and allowing the biasing member to expand the pump body to the inflated configuration. Accordingly, a method of using the air pump 10 comprises releasing a restraint fastener (if the pump body 100 is restrained in a compressed configuration) and permitting the pump body to expand to the inflated (expanded) configuration. As the pump body 100 is expanding, air is directed through the entry opening 112 (as shown in FIG. 4), through the one-way valve 110, and into the interior volume of the pump body 100. As noted above, as the pump body 100 expands to the inflated (expanded) configuration, air may be directed through the entry opening 112 such that the air pressure within the interior volume remains substantially the same as the ambient air pressure surrounding the pump 10.

The user may compress the pump body 100 by pressing the top wall 12 toward the bottom wall 13 (e.g., by pressing the top wall 12 downward when the air pump 10 is resting such that the bottom wall 13 is supported by a horizontal support surface) to thereby decrease the overall volume within the interior of the pump body 100. As the pump body 100 is compressed, the biasing member 102 is compressed and the one or more sidewalls 11 of the pump body 100 are collapsed. As a result of decreasing the overall volume within the interior of the pump body 100, the air pressure within the interior volume of the pump body 100 increases above the ambient air pressure surrounding the pump body 100. The increased air pressure within the interior of the pump body 100 causes the one-way valve 110 to close (e.g., by compressing the flaps 116, 118 against one another) such that air is prevented from escaping the interior volume of the pump body 100 through the entry opening 112. Instead, the air within the interior volume of the pump body 100 is directed through the exit opening 122 at an increased air pressure. In various embodiments, the one-way valve 110 may not prevent all air from escaping through the entry opening 112 during compression. However, in various embodiments, at least 90% of the air that is directed out of the interior volume of the pump body 100 during the compression process is directed through the exit opening 122. It should be understood that the percentage of air that is directed out of the interior volume of the pump body 100 through the exit opening 122 during the compression process may be dictated by the performance requirements of the pump. For example, various embodiments of the pump may direct substantially all of the air that is directed out of the interior volume of the pump body 100 during the compression process through the exit opening 122.

After the pump body 100 is compressed (e.g., to the compressed configuration), the user may release the pump body 100 and thereby allow the pump body 100 to expand to the inflated (expanded) configuration. As noted above, during the expansion process, air is directed through the entry opening 112 and through the one-way valve 110.

With reference to FIG. 19, which shows a pump 10 in use to inflate an air mattress 1904, the flexible hose 122 may be configured to engage an inflation nozzle of an inflatable object (e.g., an air mattress 1904). As shown in FIG. 19, the air mattress 1904 has a fitment with a large one-way valve 1900 used for filling the mattress 1904 with air, as well as valve for deflation 1902 that, when opened, allows air to quickly exit the air mattress 1904. A valve such as that shown in FIG. 18 has its large nozzle 1800 positioned inside of the large-one way valve 1900. As is common in the art, the large nozzle 1800 can be held in place inside of the large valve 1900 by friction and/or by connectors used on other pipes or hoses.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of an air pump 20 having a plurality of one-way valves secured such that the one-way valves are prevented from inverting and extending out of the body of the air pump 20. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, two one-way valves 112 are joined along their adjacent edges along line 600. By joining two rapid inflation valves together, the valves are prevented from inverting through the entry opening when the air pump 20 is compressed. Such configurations may not include a mesh cover across the entry opening.

The air pump 20 illustrated in FIG. 6 may be operable in a manner similar to that described above in reference to the air pump 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of an air pump 30 in which two entry openings 700 extending through the one or more sidewalls 31 of the pump body 100 are used to allow air to enter. A flap of material 702 (e.g., a fabric, such as a laminated cloth, a nonwoven film, and/or the like) over each opening 700 acts as a one-way valve. When the pump is compressed, the air pressure inside the pump body 100 will force the flap of material 702 to press against a portion of the one or more sidewalls around the openings 700 to form a substantially airtight seal therein; thereby impeding air from exiting the openings 700. As a result, as the pump body 100 is compressed, the air is forced out of the exit opening 120. The air pump 30 illustrated in FIG. 7 may be operable in a manner similar to that described above in reference to the air pump 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 8 is another embodiment of an air pump 40 in which two ports 800 extend through a top wall of the pump body 100 and are configured to permit air to enter the interior of the pump body 100. The holes are sized such that a person's hand is able to completely cover the port 800. To use, a user places one hand over each port 800 while the air pump 40 is in an inflated (expanded) configuration, and presses down on the pump to compress the air pump 40. By covering the ports 800 with each hand, air is impeded from exiting an interior volume of the air pump 40 through the ports 800 while the air pump 40 is compressed. The air is thus directed to exit the interior of the pump body 100 through the exit opening 120. When the user removes his or her hands from the ports 800 and allows the biasing member to inflate (expand) the pump body, air is be drawn into the interior of the pump body via the ports 800.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of an air pump 50 in which the top of the pump 900 is made larger than the bottom 902, so that the pump body 900 is tapered. By tapering the pump body 900, the biasing member forms a spiral such that the biasing member does not overlap itself when the pump is completely compressed, allowing the biasing member to lay completely flat when the air pump 50 is in the compressed configuration. Although illustrated such that the top wall of the pump has a larger diameter than the bottom wall, various embodiments have a tapered profile in which the bottom wall has a larger diameter than the top wall.

Moreover, in various embodiments, the exit opening 120 can also have a fitment 910 that permits one or more attachments (e.g., a flexible hose and/or one or more different nozzles) to be detachably secured to the air pump. For example, any of those nozzles shown in FIGS. 10-12 may be detachably secured to the exit opening 120.

FIGS. 10 to 12 show example nozzles that may be secured to the exit opening 120 of a pump to modify the air flow as the air exits the exit opening. FIG. 10 shows a cover 1000 with a plurality of small holes 1002 extending therethrough. By forcing the exiting air though the plurality of small openings 1002, the air forms a plurality of streams of fast moving air, which in turn creates an area of low pressure. When the air is directed into a valve of an inflatable object, the areas of low pressure surrounding the streams of fast moving air draw surrounding air into the valve of the inflatable object (e.g., via the Venturi effect and the entrainment phenomenon) resulting in a much larger volume of air being blown into the valve of the inflatable object in the same direction as the air exiting the exit opening. The nozzles illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 also take advantage of the Venturi effect and entrainment phenomenon to create one or more streams of fast moving air by forcing air through tapered nozzles 1100 and 1200. By using the an air pump as described herein with any of the attachment nozzles shown in FIGS. 10-12 to inflate an inflatable object with an inflation valve, large volumes of air can be indirectly blown into the inflatable object.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show another embodiment of an air pump assembly 60 in which two pumps as described herein are connected together. When packed, the two pumps are configured to sit on top of one another (e.g., with the bottom wall of one pump positioned adjacent the top wall of a second pump), with both pumps being in a compressed configuration together. As shown in FIG. 13, when the pumps are allowed to inflate (expand), they create a stack, with the top pump 1302 configured to be unfolded so that it rests next to the bottom pump 1300. Accordingly, the top pump 1302 may be operably secured to the bottom pump 1300, for example, via a fastener extending between the top pump 1302 and the bottom pump 1300. In various embodiments, the fastener may be flexible, such that the top pump 1302 is enabled to rotate relative to the bottom pump 1300. Shown in FIG. 14, when the two pumps 1302, 1300 have been completely unfolded, the top pump 1302 and the bottom pump 1300 rest side-by-side such that corresponding exit openings may be directed in a parallel direction. The orientation of the exit openings of each of the pumps 1302, 1300 permit a user to insert both flexible hoses 122 into an inflation valve of an inflatable object such that air may be directed into the inflatable object from both pumps 1302, 1300 simultaneously. Accordingly, a pump assembly 60 may have the pumping capacity of two substantially identical pumps while occupying substantially the same amount of space as a single pump when stored in a compressed configuration.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an air pump in various stages of manufacturing according to various embodiments. In various embodiments, spring covers 104 are sewn, heat sealed, or otherwise secured to the walls of the pump body 100, while the material forming the walls of the pump body 100 remains flat. The spring covers 104 may be attached to the walls of the pump body 100 along their edges such that a hollow tube is formed between the walls of the pump body 100 and the spring covers 104, in which the biasing member 102 may be inserted. As shown in FIG. 15, the exit opening 120 may also be cut into the pump body 100 while the pump body is still flat.

As shown in FIG. 16, first edge 1502 and second edge 1500 of the one or more sidewalls of the pump body 100 may be secured together such that the pump body 100 forms a cylindrical shape. When the edges 1502, 1500 are secured (e.g., heat sealed or sewn) together, the adjacent portions of the spring covers 104 align to permit the biasing member 102 to be inserted into the cover 104 and extend completely around the pump body 100 one or more times. The pump body 100 may then be sealed by securing the top wall and bottom wall to the walls of the pump body 100 (e.g., via heat sealing, sewing, and/or the like). This method of manufacturing can also be combined with any of the manufacturing techniques already used to make other products with pop-up cylinders or bodies like pop-up hampers and trashcans.

Rapid Inflation Valve

FIGS. 20-21 show a rapid inflation valve that may be defined within an inflatable object (e.g., an inflatable mattress). The rapid inflation valve 2010 comprises a rigid fitment 2010 and two flaps 2104, 2102 collectively defining a one-way valve configured to prevent air from escaping from an interior of the inflatable object through the rigid fitment 2010. The rapid inflation valve 2010 is configured to receive air via any of a variety of nozzle sizes (e.g., large nozzles and/or small nozzles), as well as by inflation by a person's mouth without any pump. For example, the large nozzle opening 2000 may be about 2 inches in diameter, and be designed to work with an air pump 10 described herein, although any of a variety of sizes may be provided. The small nozzle opening 2002 can have a diameter of about 0.75 inches in diameter, and be designed to be compatible with the nozzles commonly found on other manual air pumps, although any of a variety of sizes smaller than the diameter of the large nozzle opening 2000 may be provided. The small nozzle opening 2002 may be concentric with the large nozzle opening 2000, and may be positioned proximate the center of the one-way rapid inflation valve 2100, by three supports 2004. As shown in FIG. 20, the supports 2004 and the ring used for the small nozzle opening 2002 have a thin profile, so as not to impede the air flow from a pump using the large nozzle. As shown in FIG. 21, the supports 2004 and ring used for the small nozzle opening 2004 are elongated extending through the nozzle to provide strength and rigidity.

The outer flange or rim 2006 allows the body of the nozzle 2010 to be secured to an inflatable object (e.g., an inflatable mattress, an airbed, and/or the like) to provide an air-tight engagement therebetween. Any of a variety of attachment mechanisms providing an air-tight engagement between fitment 2010 and its attached valve 2100 to an inflatable object may be utilized.

As shown in FIG. 21, the one-way valve 2100 includes a pair of flaps 2102 and 2104 extending into the interior of the inflatable object (not shown). The pair of flaps are secured around the perimeter of the fitment 2010. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 21, the pair of flaps are secured to the fitment 2010 in a substantially air-tight configuration, such that air cannot flow around the pair of the flaps and the fitment 2010 without flowing between the pair of flaps. In various embodiments, each of the pair of flaps comprise a flexible film material having a smooth and/or glossy surface texture configured such that each of the flaps 2102, 2104 are configured to selectably adhere together and impede air from escaping the interior volume of the inflatable object through the fitment 2010 when the air pressure within the interior volume of the inflatable object is greater than or equal to the ambient air pressure surrounding the inflatable object. For example, each of the flaps may comprise a polyurethane film, although each of the flaps may comprise one or more other materials, such as polyethylene, a laminated cloth, and/or the like. As discussed in detail herein, the flap material may be selected so as to impede air from escaping through the fitment 2010 while the pressure within the inflatable object is greater than the ambient air pressure surrounding the inflatable object. In various embodiments, the flap material may be selected so as to entirely prevent air from escaping through the fitment 2010, although various embodiments may comprise a material that permits a small amount of air to leak out of the fitment 2010 through the one-way valve 2100. In those embodiments in which a small amount of air may leak out of the one way valve 2100, the fitment may additionally be configured to be sealed with a removable cap 2108 to provide an airtight seal with the one-way valve 2100.

Moreover, in various embodiments, the flaps 2102, 2104 are secured to one another along lateral edges to form a tubular conduit through the one-way valve 2100, similar to flaps 116, 118 of FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, the flaps 2102, 2104 may form portions of a continuous tube of material, and/or the flaps 2102, 2104 may comprise separate sheets of film that are secured (e.g., sewn, heat sealed, and/or the like) together at lateral edges of the sheets. When the air pressure within the interior volume of the inflatable object is greater than or equal to the ambient air pressure outside of the inflatable object, the tubular conduit formed between flaps 2102, 2104 is compressed to impede air from escaping between the flaps 2102, 2104. In various embodiments, the tubular conduit may be operatively secured to the one or more walls within the interior volume of the inflatable object, similar to those flaps 116, 118 described in reference to FIG. 1.

In various embodiments, the flaps 2102, 2104 are not secured to one another and are accordingly separate sheets of material secured along their edge to the fitment 2010. In such embodiments, the flaps 2102, 2104 are configured to adhere together and impede air from escaping the interior volume of the inflatable object when the air pressure within the inflatable object is greater than or equal to the ambient air pressure surrounding the inflatable object. As will be appreciated form the description herein, the one-way valve may be configured to function analogously to the one-way valves disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/066,458.

The method for constructing the rapid inflation one-way valve 2100 is similar to that described in patent Ser. No. 14/066,458 by the same inventor as the present invention. Once the one-way valve 2100 has been constructed, it may be secured to the fitment 2010 by adhesive, heat sealing, tension ring, hole and peg fastening, and/or other attachment mechanisms for attaching a flexible component to a rigid component. The screw cap 2108 and threading 2106 as commonly provided for providing an air-tight valve cover may be provided to prevent air from escaping from an interior volume of an inflatable object. The cap 2108 may be attached to the fitment 2010 with a string, plastic band, and/or the like.

As shown in FIG. 22, the large nozzle 1800 may be sized to fit inside of the fitment 2010 and allows large volumes of air to quickly enter to into the air bed 1904 (or other inflatable object). The force of the air exiting the air pump 150 causes the upper and lower flaps 2102, 2104, to separate, allowing the air to be pumped into the air bed 1904. The flaps are constructed from lightweight, pliable materials (e.g., 0.3 mil thick PVC or TPU film) such that the flaps are configured to open in close in response to small changes in pressure within the air bed 1904.

As shown in FIG. 23, when the pump 10 is inflating (expanding) between pumps or when the pump is not being utilized to direct air into the air mattress 1904, the air pressure inside of the air mattress 1904 causes the upper and lower flaps 2104, 2102, to press together, thereby preventing the air from escaping the air mattress 1904.

As shown in FIG. 24, when a standard pump (e.g., a foot-pump 2400) having a small nozzle 2402 such as those commonly known in the art used to inflate the air mattress 1904, the small nozzle 2402 is inserted into the small nozzle opening 2002. The small nozzle opening 2002 holds the small nozzle 2402 in place during inflation. Like with the large nozzle previously mentioned, the air pressure from the foot-pump 2400 causes the upper and lower flaps 2104, 2102 to open, allowing air to enter the interior of the air mattress 1904.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 25, the rapid inflation valve 2200 is configured to accept air blown into the air mattress 1904 by a person. When the user blows into the valve from a distance (e.g., 0.5 inches away from the rapid inflation valve 2200), surrounding air is also sucked into the air bed 1904 (e.g., according to the Venturi effect and entrapment phenomenon); thereby speeding up inflation.

At least as provided by the disclosure associated with FIGS. 22-25, it would be obvious to anyone skilled in the art that this valve could also be used on other inflatable objects like pool toys, towables, inflatable tents, camping pads, medical pads, and/or the like. Any inflatable object that could benefit from a valve that is compatible with both large and small nozzles, as well as, manual inflation directly from a user's mouth.

FIG. 26 shows a method of inflating an inflatable object that has a rapid inflation valve 2602 according to various embodiments. The air pump 10 inflates the air pad 2600 by indirectly blowing air into the rapid inflation valve 2602 opening according to the method of using the air pump described herein; thereby drawing in the surrounding air (via the Venturi effect and entrainment phenomenon) which causes more air to enter the air pad 2600 with each pump. FIG. 27 shows another method of inflation in which the rigid nozzle may be directly inserted in to the rapid inflation valve 2602 of the air pump 10. Additional details about the rapid inflation valve 2602 are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/066,458.

CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

For example, the disclosed pump may define a box or cube shape instead of a cylindrical shape as illustrated in the Figures. The body of the disclosed pump may comprise a polyester laminated with polyurethane, a tightly woven fabric (e.g., a nylon fabric), a film (e.g., a poly-vinyl chloride film or a thermoplastic polyurethane film), and/or the like. The disclosed pump may have a small overall size (e.g., having a diameter of 4 inches and a height of 20 inches) capable of fitting in a pants' pocket when compressed. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that may be made to the principles described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Moreover, FIGS. 28 and 29 show images of prior art pop-up products, where the body of the products have been designed to be aesthetically pleasing and eye-catching. Such aesthetic designs may be incorporated into the pump body as disclosed herein. Such aesthetic decorations may, for example, be provided in air pumps designed for operation with children.

As shown in FIG. 30, an air pump 150 according to various embodiments may have aesthetics to look like a fictional character. In the example shown, the body of the pump 100 has a character printed on it and also has a hat constructed for the top of the pump. A matching mattress 3000 (e.g., a child-sized mattress) may be provided in association with the pump 150. In various embodiments, the large valve 2200 and/or hose 1802 may be colored to match the pump body 100. The pump body 100 can also double as a storage or toy bin, by using a zipper opening like that commonly found on other pop-up products.

FIG. 31 shows a pump having a zipper opening attached to the outer edge of the top of the pump. While it remains zipped, the pump provides pumping functions as described herein. As shown in FIG. 32, when unzipped, the top can be opened and the pump body may be used to organize or store items, such as clothes or toys. 

That which is claimed:
 1. A manually actuated air pump comprising: a flexible pump body defined by a plurality of flexible walls comprising one or more sidewalls extending between a top wall and a bottom wall, the flexible walls defining an interior volume; at least one one-way valve defined in the top wall and configured to permit air to enter the interior volume through an entry opening; at least one exit opening extending through one of the one or more sidewalls and configured to direct air out of the flexible pump body; and a coiled spring secured to the one or more sidewalls between the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein the coiled spring is configured to bias the flexible pump body to an inflated configuration in which the interior volume is filled with air and to be compressed into a compressed configuration in which the interior volume is reduced; wherein the air pump is configured such that compressing the flexible pump body causes the air within the interior volume of the pump body to be directed out of the at least one exit opening, and expansion of the pump body from the compressed configuration to the inflated configuration causes air to flow through the one-way valve and inflate the interior volume.
 2. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the one or more flexible walls are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of: a film, a cloth, and a laminated cloth.
 3. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the flexible pump body is tapered such that the coiled spring coils with a decreasing radius along the length of the coiled spring.
 4. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the exit opening is defined by a flexible hose configured to direct air away from the flexible pump body.
 5. The air pump of claim 4, wherein the flexible hose comprises an exit opening configured to engage an air valve of an inflatable object to direct air through the air valve and into the inflatable object.
 6. The air pump of claim 1, further comprising a restraint fastener configured to selectively secure the flexible pump body in the compressed configuration.
 7. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the flexible pump body is cylindrical.
 8. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the top wall of the flexible pump body is removable to provide access to the interior of the flexible pump body.
 9. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the one-way valve comprises two opposing flexible flaps secured on opposing sides of the entry opening, and wherein the opposing flexible flaps are configured to adhere to one another to seal the one way valve while the flexible pump body is being compressed.
 10. The air pump of claim 9, wherein the two opposing flexible flaps are secured to one another to form a collapsible air conduit.
 11. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the coiled spring extends around the perimeter of the flexible pump body between the top wall and the bottom wall.
 12. The air pump of claim 1, wherein the entry opening of the at least one one-way valve defines an area that is greater than or equal to 10% of the total area of the top wall. 